To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence, Joaquin Jimenez has designed a medal that honors American liberty, two and a half centuries after its
proclamation. More than a commemoration, this creation is rooted in the long sweep of history: that of a story enriched by exchanges and by 250 years of friendship and collaboration between France and the United States.
The medal echoes the significant moments of Franco-American friendship, from the support
decisive contribution in the 18th century to the cultural and diplomatic collaborations that have
been built over generations. It engages with the legacy of the engravers of the century.
Enlightenment, who created the first medals celebrating American independence. Years
later, Joaquin Jimenez continues this tradition and, in turn, pays tribute to them
tribute, grounding its focus in the present. Through this artwork, the medal becomes an object of transmission: it tells a story of independence in motion, shaped by history, dialogue, and a lasting friendship between two nations.

OBVERSE

⁣⁢The drawing represents a battle scene, like Liberty leading the people.
by Eugène Delacroix, structured around three central figures. In the foreground is an allegorical female figure, recognizable by her radiant crown and flowing dress. The incarnation of Freedom, she guides the march by brandishing a flag.
In the center of the composition, George Washington, founding figure of the American nation, is represented holding a sword. To his right, the Marquis de La Fayette in turn brandishes a weapon, evoking the common commitment and the fight for freedom.
In the background, a landscape animated by soldiers recalls the historical context of the struggle for independence and places the scene in the tumult of the clashes which shaped the birth of the nation.⁤⁣

REVERSE

The composition brings together several layers of American history, unfolded in a
circular path, clockwise. In the background, a
L'Hermione, the frigate that enabled the Marquis de La Fayette to reach America, a direct reminder of French support for the fight for independence. The dates 1776–2026, inscribed in the composition, establish a link between the proclamation of independence and its 250th anniversary.
On the right, two profiles stand out: those of George Washington and the Marquis de La
Fayette, founding figures of U.S. independence and symbols of the Franco-American alliance. Their busts, turned towards the horizon, suggest a shared vision and a common construction built to last.
In the lower part of the design, a hat and a helmet from World War I and
World War II introduces another temporal dimension: they evoke the continuity of commitment, the battles fought side-by-side, and the alliances renewed throughout the 20th century.
On the left, the Statue of Liberty, designed and assembled in France, rises as a landmark.
visual and symbolic representation, embodying the ideals of liberty and emancipation. The entire design thus showcases independence inscribed in the long sweep of time.